Tennant Expands in Europe

Commercial cleaning equipment manufacturer Tennant Co., Minneapolis, Minn., announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with private equity fund Ambienta to acquire IPC Group, a privately held designer and manufacturer of commercial cleaning solutions based in Italy, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $350 million (€330 million).

In 2016, IPC Group generated annual sales of approximately $203 million (€192 million). When finalized, this will be the largest acquisition in Tennant Company history.

IPC Group produces small- to mid-sized commercial cleaning machines and equipment, including floor sweepers and scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, high-pressure washers, and related aftermarket parts and services. IPC Group sells its products under the brand names IPC, IPC Foma, IPC Eagle, IPC Gansow, ICA, Vaclensa, Portotecnica, Sirio and Soteco, Readysystem, Euromop, and Pulex.

Chris Killingstad, Tennant president and chief executive officer said, “acquiring IPC Group is a strategic move that aligns with our growth aspirations. IPC Group significantly increases our presence and market share in Europe, and more than doubles Tennant’s current EMEA business. We will gain the scale to accelerate both Tennant’s and IPC Group’s growth, and better leverage our cost structure in EMEA. Importantly, our businesses are highly complementary and differentiated in our geographies, products and go-to-market approach.”

More than 80 percent of IPC Group’s business is concentrated in Europe, with the remaining percentage split evenly between the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions. In addition to expanding Tennant’s EMEA market coverage, IPC Group’s brands broaden Tennant’s range of product offerings. The companies’ brands see little overlap due to their differentiated market positions.

Said Killingstad: “We intend to market both the Tennant and IPC Group brands as part of our multi-brand portfolio. IPC Group is a growing and profitable business with a strong management team and we are excited about our combined potential.”

Tennant expects the acquisition to be completed in the 2017 second quarter. The timing is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.